The Dalai Lama's Book of Daily Meditations - The Path To Tranquillity

Foreword

As human beings, we all want to be happy and to avoid suffering. In my limited experience, if we are to achieve this, it is immensely valuable to be able to cultivate and maintain a positive state of mind. In the Buddhist tradition to which I belong, one of the most effective means of doing so is to engage in meditation. However, although meditation can sometimes mean sitting in a particular formal posture and stilling the mind, it can also include continuously familiarizing ourselves with positive thoughts. This is why we regularly read and recite the texts of scriptures and prayers. I myself have drawn great inspiration over the years from a short work called 'Eight Verses for Training the Mind'. It contains much useful advice, counselling us always to consider others as more important than ourselves, to face and oppose the disturbing emotions that endanger our peace of mind and to give whatever benefit arises to others, while shouldering whatever difficulties occur on ourselves.

This book contains daily quotations selected from my own writings and published works. I humbly pray that readers may find some inspiration in them to develop that warm hearted peace of mind that is the key to enduring happiness.The Dalai Lama26 February 1998

* Extracted with permission.

Eight Verses for Training the Mind

Regarding all sentient beingsAs excelling even the wish-granting gemFor accomplishing the highest aim,May I always hold them most dear.

When in the company of othersI shall always consider myself the lowest of all,And from the depth of my heartHold them dear and supreme.